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What's so bad about fake phones?

CONSUMER IMPACT

Buying a fake phone can pose a health risk to you and loved ones who use the device. Other drawbacks, such as network disruption and poor product quality makes buying genuine the clear choice.

NATIONAL IMPACT

With counterfeiters evading taxation, many countries are losing a great deal of revenue, including sales and value added taxes as well as various duties and associated government charges.

While African countries and emerging markets have long been the primary market for fake devices, the proliferation of e-commerce has also increased the sales of counterfeits and fakes worldwide, making it a truly global issue.

INDUSTRY IMPACT

Black market phones cost the mobile phone industry billions of dollars in lost sales every year. According to a March 2017 report by the OECD, one in five mobile phones sold worldwide is counterfeit!

These numbers are supported by a sector-specific analysis from the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) covering 90 countries, which found that in 2015, 184 million counterfeit smartphones were sold, resulting in EUR 45.3 billion lost worldwide in that year (12.9% of all legitimate sales).

The Mobile & Wireless Forum (MWF) is an international association of companies with an interest in mobile and wireless communications including the evolution to 5G and the Internet of Things. The MWF focuses on a range of issues concerning mobile and wireless devices including RF health and safety, certification testing standards and requirements, counterfeit issues and accessibility.